Khimsar Village is one of the finest places that you will find near the edge of the Great Thar Desert. This tiny hamlet has so much in store! From religious temples to royal architectural delights, and mini sand dunes to man-made oases, you will find a lot of interesting things to explore in the Khimsar village. The endless, magical desert coupled with the silent atmosphere is what you should opt for if you want to spend some quality time with yourself. People also come here with friends to set up camp and enjoy gazing at the serene night sky!
Here we have all the information about the history of Khimsar village, its location, the best places to explore, the right time to visit the place and more!
Read on to find out.
Also Read: RURAL TOURISM: YOUR GUIDE TO AUTHENTIC RURAL LIFESTYLE IN INDIA
Where is Khimsar Village?
Khimsar Village is located in the state of Rajasthan. It is present between Jodhpur and Bikaner so it is easy to find transport from these cities to this tiny village establishment. It is about 50km away from Nagaur and is not connected with the rest of the Indian cities by air or railways. Then how do we reach Khimsar village, you say?
We will tell you all about it in this blog.
Khimsar village was one of the most sought-after places during the Rajputana era. This is where the royal families used to come to spend some quality time with each other. You can call it their go-to relaxation spot. The village was founded by Rao Karamsiji, the 8th son of Rao Jodha, the man who founded Jodhpur. Khimsar and the region around was once an independent kingdom ruled by the Thakurs under the wing of the then-Jodhpur ruler. You will be surprised to know that the descendants of the said Thakur dynasty still live in this magnificent village!
What is Special About Khimsar Village?
Khimsar Village was very popular as a small yet independent kingdom that was efficient in countering enemy attacks efficiently. Be it the well-built forts, trained army or the gorgeousness of the village, Khimsar was popular among the Rajput rulers. The mighty leaders of Jodhpur used to come here all the time to enjoy some peace and relax their minds and soul.
There were several temples and religious activities that used to happen in Khimsar. However, with time, these marvellous constructions just faded away. But you can still explore the remains of the Hindu temples, some of the Jain temples, wildlife sanctuaries and man-made waterbodies. We will tell you all about them in the next section.
The Best Places to Explore in and near Khimsar
If you are visiting Khimsar village soon, try to add these four places to your travel itinerary. Refrain from going out in the afternoons. However, you can enjoy the sheer magnificence of these places during the early hours of the day or evenings.
1 – Khimsar Fort
The Khimsar Fort is the existing proof that whispers to us the tales of the valiant Rajput warriors. The walls that were once shiny and glamorous, now hold the scars of battles. That in itself is a charm that people love to capture in their camera lens. The place is rustic, and old, but still emanates a kind of power and strength. It is almost palpable in the air! You can visit the Khimsar Fort whenever you want as there are no specific timings. There is no entry fee either. However, be mindful of your surroundings and do not litter the place. Public transport is not available in Khimsar so you might have to ask for a private cab service in your hotel or choose the infamous horse/camel rides in the village! We would suggest the second option if you want to get the complete Rajasthani experience!
2 – Sand Dunes
How can you come to the edge of the Greater Thar Desert and not expect to see sand dunes? Khimsar village is also popularly known as the sand dunes village. The small dunes are lined so impressively and it feels like the desert never ends. We would suggest you go out and explore the sand dunes in the evening. This is when the air picks up pace and the temperature dips to create a favourable environment for going out and about. Also, the golden sand looks ethereal when the dimming sun rays reflect off of its surface. Right at the centre of these dunes and the occasional desert greens, you will see the man-made oasis. It is not uncommon to spot some ducks here!
3 – Nagaur Fort
Once you are done exploring the Khimsar Village Fort and the sand dunes, set out to see the Nagaur Fort. This historic construction played a very important role in the past and was one of the favourite places of the Mughal rulers. The intricate carvings on the walls, Islamic designs, thick pillars and huge campus are the signature features of this ancient architectural wonder. You will find well-manicured lawns, fountains, well shafts and mini sculptures inside the fort. You can visit this fort anytime during the week. It opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 5:00 PM. Note that the place also remains closed for one and a half hours post 1:00 PM. You will have to pay an entry fee of INR15 if you are an Indian citizen and INR50 if you are a foreign tourist. We suggest that you carry your photo IDs or Aadhar cards when you visit the place.
4 – Black Buck Reserve Panchala
Is it possible to find greenery in a desert? Yes, it is possible if you are visiting the Black Buck Reserve in Panchala. After you are done exploring Khimsar village, head toward Panchala. You will find decent stays here. Book your safari ride in advance to enter the reserve lands and see the lush green canopies of trees everywhere! If you visit this place post-monsoon, you will enjoy the atmosphere more. The Black Buck Reserve is famous for housing some of the exotic medicinal plants and trees.
Coming to the fauna, here you will find three different types of antelopes: Blue Bull, Chinkara, and the infamous Black Buck. You can also spot the Demoiselle Cranes that migrate from Asia and Europe to this reserve. A Jeep Safari is totally worth your time and money if you are a nature lover. Not many who come to Khimsar village are aware of this reserve so make the best use of this information.
Apart from these four places, there are several other temples near the Khimsar village. Unfortunately, the Hindu temples fell apart with time. You can only see small remnants of these regions. Instead of going about on your own, we would suggest that you take a local or a guide so that you can identify the runes correctly. They will also tell you the stories associated with these gorgeous temples. Most of the Hindu temples are in ruins but this is not the case with all Jain temples. There are a few Jain temples in the region that are well-preserved and devotees come here to offer prayers all the time.
Best Time to Visit Khimsar Village
You can visit Khimsar Village throughout the year! But do not forget that we are talking about a desert here and when you arrive in the place will depend on your personal preferences. Let us give you a brief glimpse of the climatic conditions in Khimsar.
During the summer months, you will have to endure the harshest glare of the sun. The temperature rises significantly and you can also notice sand storms. If you want to go on safari rides or explore the sand dunes, you will have to be very sure about the weather. This is the best time to visit Khimsar if you prefer to stay under a roof and treat your vacation as a relaxing retreat.
During the winter months, the days are hot but the nights are very cold. You will have to pack a few woollens to keep yourself warm after the sun goes down. But people love sitting outside and staring at the clear night sky during the cold months. You can visit Khimsar village during this time if you want to avoid crowds.
But it is during the months of November to February that you will see enthusiastic tourists flocking to Khimsar. This is when the enthralling Annual Nagaur Cattle Fair is organised near Khimsar.
Annual Nagaur Cattle Fair
The Annual Nagaur Cattle Fair is organised during the months of January or February in the Nagaur village, which is 48km away from Khimsar. This is the time when cattle stock owners trade them and make some money. You will also find a very vibrant atmosphere with fun games, stalls, food and cultural performances.
People come with their bullocks, camels, horses, and cows from all over Rajasthan and other states to participate in the fair. You also have competitions in which people decorate their cattle and the most beautiful one wins a prize! Camel races, Horse races and rural sports like tug of war and friendly wrestling are also common during Nagaur Camel Fair. You can pick souvenirs from the stalls at the fair! You will find many villagers selling cattle accessories. Though you may not have any use for them, they will prove to be the perfect tokens to take back home. Probably, place them on your shelf.
You will have a lot of fun exploring the cultural side of Rajasthan, especially Nagaur and Khimsar village during this fun fair.
How to reach Khimsar Village?
You can reach Khimsar Village by taking a flight, or train. Alternatively, you can also plan an elaborate road trip.
By Air
There are no airports in Khimsar village or Nagaur. However, the closest international airport is in Jodhpur. It is well connected with the rest of the Indian states like New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore. Jodhpur is approximately 100km away from Khimsar and you will easily find cab services and buses that will take you to Khimsar from Jodhpur.
By Rail
Khimsar doesn’t have a railway station of its own but you will find one in Nagaur! Then covering the 50km from Nagaur to Khimsar is not very challenging. You will easily find buses to the rustic village. Alternatively, there is a railway station in Osian – 60 km away. These two options work for those who live in Rajasthan. If you are coming from any state other than Rajasthan, it is better to take a ticket to Jodhpur railway station which is 95km away from Khimsar village.
By Road
From anywhere in Rajasthan, you can reach Khimsar by driving on NH11 and NH62. You can also take SH21 depending on where you are starting from. For those who are coming from anywhere other than Rajasthan, you must reach Jodhpur first and then plan your trip ahead.
If you are planning to travel by road, we suggest that you pack ample bottles of water. In certain parts of your journey, it is very hard to find water and the scorching heat will definitely dry up your mouth and throat. A mini-fridge in the car won’t be a bad idea either. The ones coming on a two-wheeler should have proper headgear and wear light clothing to avoid heat stroke. Take occasional breaks in between to relax and cool down.
From exploring ancient forts to eating delicious local food, there is so much you can do in Khimsar Village if you plan your days properly! Try to coincide your trip with the Annual Nagaur festival and you won’t be disappointed.
Now that you have all the deets about Khimsar village, when are you planning to visit this spectacular desert? Let us know in the comments section!
